Bamako Map | Map of Bamako City, Mali Bozo Village, Bamako Grand Mosque, National Museum of Mali About City : The sixth fastest growing city in the world, Bamako, the capital of Mali is located on the Niger River. It is the largest city in Mali and is the administrative center as well as a major regional trade and conference center of the country. It has an estimated population of over 1.8 million. Traveling around this city might prove to be difficult because of its mostly unpaved and overcrowded roads, crammed with motor vehicles. Bamako’s traditional heritage dates back to the Paleolithic age. During the Middle Ages, the city grew because of its cotton and salt trade. It became the capital of French Sudan in 1908 and remained the capital when Mali gained independence in 1960. Geography : Situated on the banks of the river Niger, Bamako is essentially flat where topography is concerned except for the remains of an extinct volcano to its immediate north. Although it initially developed on the northern side of the river, bridges have been now developed which connect the northern and the southern banks and the city has spread to both sides of the river.

How to Reach (Transport) : The city is about 15 km from the Bamako-Sénou airport with flights from Europe offered by Air France from Paris and by Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca. Undergoing constant renovations since 2009, the airport remains incomplete, cramped and difficult to navigate. Bamako is also accessible by train across western Africa and by bus from Sogoniko. Much of the navigation is done by the Niger River and the city, sprawled on both sides of the river is well connected by two bridges, viz., The Bridge of Martyrs and The King Fahd Bridge. Inside the city, taxi-motorcycles or Taxi vans (Sotramas) are the easiest and most effective way of traveling. Although neither run on meter, the prices are relatively cheap. When to Visit : With a tropical dry and wet climate, Bamako is hot and humid all year around. The best time to visit would be November to about March when the climate is dry. During these months, there is a lesser chance of encountering an otherwise muddy and mosquito riddled environment. Fairs and Festivals : Incredibly rich in culture, Bamako borrows from the several kingdoms that ruled it until its independence.

To start with, the city celebrates their Independence Day on 22nd September, when they got their freedom from France. The month of November encompasses the three most important festivals of the city - The Hot air balloon festival makes the entire November full of regular hot air balloon flights and tours. The Bamako Festival of African photography, now an international event, is a bi annual display of African art in the city and the influence of the French on them. The Bamako Dance Festival, where numerous dancers strive to show off their talent, highlighting traditional and contemporary dances of many African nations as well as Europe. At the end of January, the city also serves as the finish line to the grueling trans-Sahara rally in which, on the last Sunday of January, hundreds of rally vehicles, both two wheelers and four wheelers , reach the city. Points of Interest (Places to Visit) : Among the many points of interest, the following are the most noteworthy - The Grand Marché or the Great Market and the Maison des Artisans which beautifully show off the colourful cultural diversity among the many ethnic groups of Mali. The National Museum which is an anthropological and archaeological museum began under the French rule and has nearly 3000 finds.

The labels on the exhibits are not in English but English guides are readily available. The Bamako Grand Mosque, built on the site of a pre-colonial mud-brick mosque, is one of the tallest buildings in Bamako and is often open to tourists. Point G. Hill which offers a very good view of the city and has caves with rock paintings. The BCEAO Tower, the tallest building in West Africa, is modeled on the Sudano-Sahelian architecture and is located on the left bank of river Niger. The National Library of Mali, created in 1944 by the French holds more than 60,000 works easily accessible to the public. However, a nominal fee has to be paid for borrowing privileges. Some of the exhibits of the biannual Bamako photography festival are hosted here. Other noteworthy places would be the Bamako Cathedral, the Muso Kunda Museum, the Independence Monument, Bamako Zoo, Monument de la Paix, and the Botanical gardens. Accommodation : There is quite a variety of places to put up at.

Posh choices would be Laico Hotel de l'Amitié, Alazai Hotel Salam, Hotel Sahel Vert, Radisson Blu, Hotel Le Rabelais, etc which offer nice and clean rooms, free wi-fi, good restaurants, swimming pools, etc. For the humble, the Bed & Breakfast Ambassagou, Mission Libonaise, amongst others offer good services. Last Updated : January 09, 2014 Geography of Mali, Landforms - World Atlas Mali's landscape is mostly a savanna grassland that rolls into higher plateaus as you move north. Rugged hills with elevations that reach upwards of 3,280 ft (1,000 m) dot the northeast. Approximately 65% of the country is covered by desert or semi-desert. The lowest point of the country is the Senegal River at 75 ft (23 m); the highest point of Mali is Hombori Tondo at 3,789 ft (1,155 m). The largest rivers in Mali are the Niger and Senegal.

Considered to be Mali's lifeblood (its source of food, drinking water, irrigation and transportation) the Niger River snakes through roughly 2,600 miles (4,180 km) of western Africa. Mali | history - geography | Britannica.com African Leaders: Part One Northern and central Mali are made up of the plains of the Niger River basin and of the Sahara . The only marked relief feature in the north is the Iforas Massif. An extension of the mountainous Hoggar region of the Sahara, this heavily eroded sandstone plateau rises to elevations of more than 2,000 feet. Drainage and soils With the exception of some intermittent streams in the northeast, Mali’s drainage system consists entirely of the Sénégal and Niger rivers and their tributaries. The Sénégal system flows in a northwesterly direction across western Mali for about 420 miles (670 km) on its course to the Atlantic Ocean . One of its main headstreams, the Bakoye River , rises in the Fouta Djallon, while another, the Bafing River , rises farther to the east; they join at Bafoulabé to form the Sénégal.

The river continues flowing northwest and then west around the Mandingue Plateau, broken along the way by falls at Gouina and Félou, before exiting Mali. Related Places Kayes The Niger River flows through Mali for slightly more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km), about two-fifths of the river’s total length. It rises in the Fouta Djallon and is of significant size by the time it enters the country near Kangaba. It flows to the northeast across the Mandingue Plateau, its course interrupted by falls and a dam at Sotuba. Reaching Koulikoro , it spreads out in a wide valley and flows majestically to its confluence with the Bani River at Mopti . The Niger then forms an interior delta, because the land is flat and the river’s gradient almost nonexistent. The river breaks down into a network of branches and lakes as it continues northward and, at Kabara, eastward. At Bourem the Niger makes a great turn to the southeast, known as the Niger Bend, and flows past Gao and Ansongo to the Niger border at Labbezanga. The Niger River at Mopti, Mali. © Brian A.

Vikander/West Light The flow of the Niger varies seasonally. High waters occur on the upper Niger from July to October, at the delta from September to November, and at the bend from December to January. Periodic floods and the rich alluvial soils in the central delta make the Niger valley an important agricultural region. The soils outside the Niger valley in Mali are poor. In the south, ferruginous (iron-bearing) soils are shallow and form a hard, red crust because of intense evaporation. The desert region is composed of sand , rock, and gravel. Climate Mali lies within the intertropical zone and has a hot, dry climate, with the sun near its zenith throughout most of the year. In general, there are two distinct seasons, dry and wet. The dry season, which lasts from November to June, is marked by low humidity and high temperatures and is influenced by the alize and harmattan winds. The alize blows from the northeast from November to January and causes a relatively cool spell, with temperatures averaging 77 °F (25 °C).

From March to June the harmattan, a dry, hot wind that blows from the east out of the Sahara, sweeps the soil into dusty whirlwinds and is accompanied by daytime temperatures of about 104 to 113 °F (40 to 45 °C). Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest During the rainy season, from June to October, the monsoon wind blows from the southwest. Preceded by large black clouds, the heavy rainstorms often include gusty winds and much lightning and thunder. Temperatures are somewhat lower in August , when most of the rainfall occurs. The country can be divided into three climatic zones—the Sudanic , the Sahelian , and the desert zones. Sudanic climate occurs in about one-third of the country, from the southern border to latitude 15° N. It is characterized by an annual rainfall of 20 to 55 inches (510 to 1,400 mm) and average temperatures of 75 to 86 °F (24 to 30 °C).

The Sahel, or the area bordering the Sahara , receives between 8 and 20 inches (200 and 510 mm) of rain per year and has average temperatures between 73 and 97 °F (23 and 36 °C). In the desert (Sahara), temperatures during the day range from 117 to nearly 140 °F (47 to 60 °C), while at night the temperature drops to 39 to 41 °F (4 to 5 °C). Page 1 of 9 Mali Send me a copy Subject: Email addresses provided here will be used solely to email the link indicated. They will not be saved, shared, or used again in any manner whatsoever.

The CAPTCHA code you entered is not valid, please reenter the CAPTCHA code Mali Official Name: Republic of Mali Last Updated: April 14, 2015 Alerts & Warnings Must be valid at time of entry BLANK PASSPORT PAGES: One page required for entry stamp TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(223) 2070-2300 Fax: (223) 2070-2340 ACSBamako@state.gov Destination Description Mali is a developing country in western Africa which continues to experience political instability and insecurity following the coup d’etat in March 2012. Facilities for tourism are limited. The capital is Bamako. French is the official language with Bambara widely spoken. U.S. citizens are strongly cautioned against traveling to Mali’s three northern regions (Timbuktu, Gao, and Kidal) and in remote areas along the Mauritanian border due to the serious threat of terrorist activity and continuing political and civil unrest. There is ongoing conflict due to rebellion and terrorist occupation of the north. Attacks still remain a threat throughout the country, including in Bamako.

The ability of the U.S. embassy to provide consular services may be extremely limited in remote and rural areas. Read the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Mali for additional information on U.S. - Mali relations Entry, Exit & Visa Requirements Visitors must present a valid passport with at least one blank page, a visa, and evidence of yellow fever vaccination. While airport visas are available, visitors are strongly encouraged to obtain their visas in advance of travel to avoid excessive fees and unexpected potential travel restrictions imposed at the port-of-entry. Visit the Embassy of Mali website for the most current visa information. Inquiries from outside the United States should be made at the nearest Malian embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Mali. Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page . Safety and Security See the Department of State's Travel Warning for Mali and Worldwide Caution for the current security situation.

Violent extremist elements including but not limited to al-Qaida in the Lands of Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Ansar al-Dine, the Movement for Oneness and Jihad (MUJAO), and extremists tied to al-Murabitun remain active in the region. Terrorists elements have been mostly dislodged from the major population centers, but do still occasionally operate in cities, including Gao and Timbuktu. AQIM has declared its intention to attack Western targets throughout the Sahel (including Mali, Mauritania, and Niger). This group has claimed responsibility for numerous recent kidnappings/attempted kidnappings and other violent events in the region. On March 7, 2015 al-Murabitun claimed responsibility for an armed attack on La Terrasse, a popular nightclub in the Hippodrome area of Bamako. Automatic rifle fire and explosives killed and injured several people. Travel to the northern and western parts of the country is to be avoided because of continuing security and military operations. The situation in the north remains unstable and dangerous.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) along with French troops in collaboration with Malian security forces are deployed in the country and are conducting counterterrorism operations that target extremist elements. There has been a recent uptick in police harassment and violent crime in Bamako, including several armed carjacking incidents, one with a fatality of a French citizen. While the government of Mali has increased security in the capital, the potential for additional attacks remains throughout the country, including in Bamako. Large and small periodic street demonstrations occur regularly throughout Mali. U.S. citizens should avoid street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times. Although demonstrations can occur spontaneously and the majority are contained by security forces, some have quickly turned violent, particularly in northern regions and at university locations in the south, and have resulted in deaths. For hundreds of years, the Sahel has been used by traffickers of arms, drugs, and persons because of its remoteness and centralized location between Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. While these elements usually attempt to avoid contact with outsiders, even an accidental encounter could generate a violent response due to the illicit nature of their activities. The U.S.

embassy permits overnight travel outside of the city of Bamako for official U.S. government employees only on a case-by-case basis, depending on the reason for travel except during times of heightened security risk. Though this restriction does not apply to private U.S. citizens, it should be taken into account when traveling to and within Mali. To stay connected: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook . Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website , which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution . Follow the U.S. Embassy in Mali on Twitter and the Embassy’s website . In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and checking for useful tips for traveling safely abroad .

CRIME: Violent crime against foreigners is infrequent, although there has been a recent uptick in armed carjackings in Bamako, as well as an armed attack with fatalities in Bamako on March 7 (see Safety and Security section). There are sporadic reports of night time robberies occurring on the roads outside of the capital; tourists should not drive outside of Bamako at night (See Travel & Transportation section). Criminals will not hesitate to use violence if they encounter resistance from their victims. Petty crimes, such as pickpocketing and simple theft, are common in urban areas. Closely guard your passports and wallets when in crowded outdoor areas and open-air markets. You should be vigilant for pickpockets, especially at night. There have also been recent reports of possible police harassment. When asked to stop by police, stop only in well-lit areas, or places where several officers are posted. VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Response from local authorities and recourse for victims of crime is extremely limited, if not non-existent.

When you do interact with local police always request a copy of the police report. Due to the vigilantism which often occurs when criminals are apprehended in Mali, it is best to avoid the large crowds that may gather at the scene of a crime, a vehicle accident, or any altercation. If you become the victim of a crime the U.S. embassy can: Assist you in seeking medical assistance and provide a list of doctors. Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, explain legal processes in general terms, and provide a list of lawyers. Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys. Remember, however, that local authorities, not the U.S. government, are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes. Contact relatives or friends at your request and with your written consent. Replace a stolen passport. The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Mali is 8000-1115; connection and response, however, is not always reliable. Please see our information for victims of crime , including possible victim compensation programs in the United States. Local Laws & Special Circumstances CRIMINAL PENALTIES: Travelers are subject to local laws.

Persons violating local laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Travelers may be taken in for questioning if stopped by the police and unable to produce their passport or for taking pictures of certain buildings. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol may lead to arrest. If you break local laws, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. The U.S. government cannot get you out of jail. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not. In the event of an arrest or detention, ask the police and prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as possible. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws.

It is also illegal to knowingly take a girl younger than 18 years old outside of the United States for the purpose of performing female genital mutilation/cutting (so-called FGM “vacation cutting. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Cultural Property: Mali is a signatory to the Treaty on Cultural Property, which restricts exportation of Malian archeological objects, in particular those from the Niger River Valley. Visitors seeking to export any such property are required by Malian law to obtain an export authorization from the National Museum in Bamako. Contact the Embassy of Mali in Washington D.C. or the nearest Malian consulate for specific information regarding customs requirements. U.S. Customs and Border Protection may impose corresponding import restrictions in accordance with the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act. Currency/Access to Funds: Currency exchange facilities are slow and often use out-of-date exchange rates. The U.S. Embassy is unable to provide exchange facilities for private U.S. citizens. There are several ATMs in Bamako that accept U.S.

citizens’ credit/debit cards, though they do not function reliably. Maximum withdrawals are generally limited to $400, and local banks charge up to $20 per transaction for use of their ATMs. There are some ATMs outside of Bamako in Segou, Sikasso, Koutiala, Gao, and Mopti, though they are sporadic and occasionally inoperable. Credit cards are accepted only at the largest hotels, Banque Atlantique, a few travel agencies (for an extra fee), and very few select restaurants. Cash advances from credit cards are available in Mali only via Western Union. Photography: Exercise caution when taking photographs in Mali. Photographing any official object, entity, or person is restricted. These restrictions include infrastructure, facilities, government buildings, as well as individuals. You should obtain explicit permission from the Malian government before photographing transportation facilities and government buildings. Taking a photograph without permission in any public area or around any of the above listed facilities often provokes a prompt response from security personnel or offends the people being photographed. Taking photos of the U.S. Embassy in Bamako is prohibited.

Telephone Calls: International telephone calls are expensive, and collect calls cannot be made from outside of Bamako. WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our tips for Women Travelers . LGBT RIGHTS: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) events in Mali. Societal discrimination, however, is widespread. LGBT individuals have experienced physical, psychological, and sexual violence, which society views as corrective punishment and police frequently refuse to intervene. Most LGBT individuals isolate themselves and keep their sexual identity hidden. See the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for more details. For further information on LGBT travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page. ACCESSIBILITY: There is no specific law protecting the rights of persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, or in the provision of other state services. There is no law mandating access to transportation, communication and public buildings for persons with disabilities.

No special accommodations are made or officially reduced fares or rates are available to persons with disabilities in public transportation or taxis, communications, lodging, medical facilities, restaurants, cafés, bars or other tourist spots. Foot paths and pedestrian-friendly road crossings are rare and generally are inaccessible to persons with disabilities Health Consult the CDC website prior to travel for the most up to date health information. Travelers should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling for applicable vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. Make sure health insurance provides coverage while overseas. Consider supplemental insurance that includes medical evacuation. The U.S. government cannot pay travelers’ medical bills. On January 6, 2015 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) removed the Travel Notice for Mali regarding Ebola. Consult the CDC site for more information. Medical facilities are extremely limited, especially outside of Bamako. U.S.-standard care does not exist. Most U.S. medicines are unavailable; European medications are more easily found, and can be obtained at pharmacies throughout Bamako, and are usually less expensive than those in the United States. Be careful to avoid purchasing potentially dangerous counterfeit medications when buying on the local market, as well as those with a short shelf life that may no longer be effective.

Travelers should carry with them an adequate supply of needed medication and prescription drugs, along with copies of the prescriptions, including the generic names for the drugs. Malaria is highly prevalent throughout sub-Saharan Mali in all seasons and sporadically in some areas in northern Mali. Travelers should carry and use CDC recommended insect repellents containing either 20% DEET, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. Treating clothing and tents with permethrin and sleeping in screened or air conditioned rooms under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets will help diminish bites from mosquitoes as well ticks, fleas, chiggers, etc, some of which may also carry infections. All routinely recommended immunizations for the US should be up to date. Measles, mumps, rubella , tetanus, pertussis and chickenpox are much more common than in the US, especially among children. Additionally, hepatitis A and typhoid immunization is recommended for all travelers. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all those who may have sexual contacts, tattoos or require medical treatment. Yellow Fever immunization is recommended for those over nine months old who are traveling in the southern areas of Mali.

Rabies immunization is recommended for all travelers staying for more than four weeks or who will have remote, rural travel or expect animal exposure. Even in urban areas dogs may have rabies and bites and scratches from dogs, bats or other mammals should be immediately cleaned with soap and water and medical evaluation sought to determine if additional rabies immunization is warranted. Meningococcal meningitis immunization with the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine should be given to all children and health care workers, especially during the dry season (December through June). Meningococcal vaccine should be considered for all adults. Epidemic meningococcal disease occurs frequently in the southern regions. Diarrheal diseases are prevalent throughout the country even in large cities and luxury accommodations. Follow scrupulous hygiene and safe food preparation. Wash hands thoroughly before eating, preparing food, and after using sanitation facilities. Avoid cooked food served at room temperature. Avoid raw food, including raw vegetables unless they can be washed thoroughly. Drink only beverages from sealed bottles or cans. Water is safe if it has been boiled or chemically treated. Avoid ice unless made from bottled/disinfected water. For further health information go to: U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel & Transportation TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: We recommend you exercise extreme caution when traveling by road. Travelers after dark on roads outside of urban centers are subject to attack by kidnappers and terrorists, and more commonly regular banditry, as roads are poorly lit or traveled. Road travel between Gao Kidal, and Menaka, and outside Timbuktu should be avoided as they are common sites for improvised explosive devices (bombs) and ambushes by armed assailants. Remain alert and vigilant while driving. Do not make any unplanned stops, avoid driving alone at night, keep doors locked and windows up, even if the need arises to speak to someone outside of the vehicle; and be aware of your surrounding. If you are forced to stop do not resist the demands of would-be assailants, as they may be armed. Due to safety concerns, avoid the use of motorbikes, van taxis, and public transportation. Excessive speeds, poorly maintained vehicles, lack of street lighting, and roving livestock pose serious road hazards. Many vehicles are not well-maintained, and headlights are either extremely dim or not used at all, while rear lights or reflectors are often missing or broken.

Driving conditions in the capital of Bamako can be particularly dangerous due to limited street lighting, the absence of sidewalks for pedestrians, and the number of motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles. Mali has paved roads leading from Bamako to most major cities in the south and east. During the rainy season from mid-June to mid-September, some unpaved roads may be impassable. On many roads outside of the capital, deep sand and ditches are common. Four-wheel drive vehicles with spare tires and emergency equipment are recommended. Professional roadside service is not available. It is imperative to carry sufficient quantities of drinking water and food. Drivers should ensure that their gas tanks are at least half-full at all times, as gas stations are not widely available. Drivers travel on the right-hand side of the road in Mali. Speed limits range from 40-60 km per hour (25-40 miles per hour) within towns, to 100 km per hour (60 miles per hour) between cities. Road conditions often require much lower speeds. For safety reasons, do not travel on the Bamako-Dakar railroad, which transports passengers only as far as Kayes.

Some international flights have occasionally been canceled due to low travel volume, but in those situations travelers have usually been notified in advance. Travelers wishing to depart the country should check with commercial airlines for the airport's operational status before traveling to the airport. Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Mali, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Mali’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page . Emergency After-Hours Telephone +(223) 2070-2300 Fax +(223) 223-2070-2340 At least 20 hostages dead in siege of hotel in Mali, official says - The Washington Post At least 20 hostages dead in siege of hotel in Mali, official says The inside track on Washington politics. Be the first to know about new stories from PowerPost. Sign up to follow, and we’ll e-mail you free updates as they’re published.

You’ll receive free e-mail news updates each time a new story is published. You’re all set! Guests, staff flee as gunmen storm luxury hotel in Mali View Photos Gunmen took hostages and killed at least 20 at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako. Caption The attackers took hostages and killed at least 20 at the Radisson Blu in Bamako. Nov. 23, 2015 Security guards outside the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, Mali , three days after a deadly attack by gunmen. An al-Qaeda affiliate based in Africa claimed responsibility. Jane Hahn/For The Washington Post By Kodji Siby and Kevin Sieff November 20, 2015 Follow @ksieff BAMAKO, Mali — Several gunmen seized a luxury hotel in Mali’s capital on Friday, killing at least 20 people in an attack that raised fresh concerns about security in a country that has battled Islamist insurgents for years. Even after a multinational campaign to defeat them, militants have proved capable of targeting prominent locations like the city’s Radisson Blu Hotel, where the seven-hour standoff took place.

Security forces swept through the Radisson on Friday afternoon, freeing the last hostages and pursuing the gunmen, who had charged through the hotel yelling “Allahu akbar!” — or “God is great!” As the troops cleared the hotel, they found the floors littered with the bodies of Malians and foreign visitors, including a Belgian government official. The State Department said a U.S. citizen was among the dead. A department spokesman had reported earlier that no Americans were killed or injured. An al-Qaeda affiliate based in Africa claimed Friday’s attack. It was the latest in a year of deadly Islamist-led assaults across sub-Saharan Africa, where a patchwork of conflicts has sometimes been overshadowed by Islamic State violence in other parts of the world. From al-Shabab in Somalia to Boko Haram in Nigeria, the continent is host to a profusion of violent extremist groups, with a range of local and transnational goals, seeking to execute large-scale attacks against civilians. The Washington Post's Kevin Sieff talks about the extremist threat in West Africa and why the U.N. peace keeping mission there is now the agency's most dangerous. (Kevin Sieff and Jason Aldag/The Washington Post) [ It’s not just the Islamic State.

Other terror groups surge in West Africa. ] In Mali, Friday’s attack underscored how vulnerable the West African country remains, even after French forces and a small number of U.S. troops helped unseat Islamists from their northern stronghold in 2013. Before that campaign, militants appeared to be gaining ground, moving closer to the capital, seizing on the chaos caused by a 2012 military coup. The current government still has only tenuous influence in parts of the country, and the remaining French forces in particular are considered targets. The gunmen stormed the hotel early Friday, sending some of the 170 guests and staff members fleeing in panic and prompting others to seek hiding places. One witness said the attackers freed some captives who were able to recite verses from the Koran. By late Friday afternoon, Mali’s security minister, Col. Salif Traore, said the remaining hostages were safe. At least 20 people were killed, Traore said. The Reuters news agency, citing U.N. officials, said at least 27 bodies were seen. Authorities worked through the evening to identify the dead. Three U.N.

staff members in the hotel during the attack were safely evacuated, said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. U.N. peacekeepers helped secure the perimeter and provided medical aid and forensics assistance, Dujarric said. The United Nations has envoys in Bamako as part of Mali’s reconciliation efforts — what has become the deadliest peacekeeping mission of the past three years, with 53 U.N. peacekeepers killed since 2013. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said three Chinese nationals were among the dead and four were rescued. [ How U.S. troops aided at the scene of the hostage standoff ] Meanwhile, security forces tried to pin down the attackers in the heart of Bamako. Officials said that four gunmen were holed up Friday night in a hotel room but that there were no hostages with them. A group affiliated with al-Qaeda, al-Mourabitoun, said its followers were behind the attack — similar to a smaller assault on a hotel in August that was claimed by the same group. Mali has faced repeated attacks from insurgents linked to al-Qaeda and other factions, but the Islamic State does not have major footholds in the region.

One Senegalese guest, Aissatou Gueye, was in her room when the attackers entered. Like many other guests, she was there to attend a large mining conference. “They were asking people to recite the Koran, and if they do, nothing will happen to them,” she said outside the hotel. Gueye saw one person shot dead before she ran to safety. About a dozen Americans were rescued from the hotel, including several employees of the U.S. Embassy in Bamako, said State Department spokesman John Kirby. The American victim was identified by her family as Anita Datar , an international development worker from Takoma Park, Md. The U.S. ambassador to Mali called the family late Friday afternoon to inform them, Datar’s mother said. Datar, the mother of a young son, worked for Palladium, an international development firm with offices in Washington. [ Anita Datar, the only known American killed in Mali, was there to help ] A member of a U.S. Special Operations unit helped to escort guests evacuated from the hotel, the Pentagon said. About 22 U.S. Defense Department personnel were in Bamako when the hotel was attacked.

President Obama, speaking to business leaders at a summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, expressed condolences to the people of Mali. “Mali security forces and our own diplomatic and security agencies rushed in to save lives,” Obama said. “This barbarity only stiffens our resolve to meet this challenge. We will stand with the people of Mali to rid the country of terrorists and strengthen their democracy.” Authorities drew no direct links to last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris. But Mali — home to the ancient city of Timbuktu — has been at the center of a French-backed effort to drive back Islamist rebels who once controlled large portions of the country. Security had been reinforced in Bamako — specifically around locations popular with foreigners, including the Radisson — after the Paris attacks, Traore said. He added that the attackers entered the hotel through a side entrance, “which makes us believe that they were familiar with the hotel.” Foreigners are often targeted in Mali. Yet militants had never seized a target as prominent as the 190-room Radisson Blu, where foreign business people and diplomats are known to stay and dine.

Earlier this month — before the rampage in Paris — the leader of Ansar Dine, one of Mali’s main Islamist groups, released a statement encouraging attacks that would “push away the aggression of the French Crusader assailant” in the former French colony, which stretches from tropical West Africa to desert regions bordering Algeria. A contingent of French troops is stationed in Mali, and President François Hollande on Thursday had praised the campaign against the Islamist insurgents. “France is leading this war with its armed forces, its soldiers, its courage,” he said. “It must carry out this war with its allies, its partners giving us all the means available, as we did in Mali, as we are going to continue in Iraq, as we will continue in Syria.” One of the rescued hostages, popular Guinean singer Sékouba “Bambino” Diabate, told reporters that he hid under his bed and heard two assailants speaking in English as they searched an adjacent room. “I stayed still, hidden under the bed, not making a noise,” he said. “I heard them say in English: ‘Did you load it? Let’s go.’ ” Extremist violence has hit Mali repeatedly.

In March, attackers reportedly shouting “Allahu akbar” fired on a popular bar in Bamako. Three Malian civilians were killed, along with a Belgian security officer working for the European Union and a French national. Two months ago, more than a dozen people — including five U.N. contractors — were killed in a 24-hour hostage siege at a hotel in Sevare in central Mali. Responsibility for that attack was claimed by al-Mourabitoun, led by Algerian Mokhtar Belmokhtar. [ Pentagon: Initial analysis suggests Libya strike killed senior militant ] Belmokhtar, an infamous one-eyed militant, had also orchestrated the bloody seizure of an Algerian gas facility in 2013 in which at least 100 workers were held hostage and dozens were killed. He was targeted in a U.S. airstrike in June in Libya, and Libyan authorities said he was killed. But the Islamist group al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb rejected that claim. Sieff reported from Nairobi. Carol Morello, Brian Murphy, William Branigin, Sarah Kaplan, Craig Whitlock and Joe Heim in Washington, David Nakamura in Kuala Lumpur and Liu Liu in Beijing contributed to this report.

Read more: Why the name: Bamako? | African Heritage African Heritage Posted by: Dr. Y. | December 7, 2015 Why the name: Bamako? Map of Mali with its capital Bamako What does Bamako have in common with London , Paris , Amsterdam , Berlin , or Madrid ? Of course it is the capital of a country, Mali , like all those other cities. However, the real similarity, is that it is located on the banks of a major river (like all those cities): the third largest river on the African continent, the Niger River , also known as Joliba (or the river of blood), near the rapids that divide the upper and middle Niger valleys in the southwestern part of the country. The city first grew on the north banks of the river, and later spread to the south banks as well. Flag of Mali The name Bamako comes from the Bambara word Bàmakɔ̌ meaning “river of crocodile“. It was founded at the end of the 16th century by the Niaré people, also called Niakaté, who are Sarakolés .

The crocodile being the fetish of Bamako, in the olden days, a virgin girl was offered to it every year… however this tradition was abandoned a long time ago. A hunter from Lambidou ( Kayes region) by the name of Simballa Niakaté chose the city’s site. However, it was his eldest son Diamoussa Niakaté who founded the city Bamako. The 3 crocodiles which symbolize Bamako found their origin in the 3 creeks that crossed Bamako: Lido, Diafarana, and Bèlèsôkô. The creeks come together in the city to flow into the Niger river. Just as the city’s symbol is 3 crocodiles, and so 3 creeks/rivers, it also comprises 3 major bridges which link both banks of the Niger River. Mali Empire (Wikipedia) The area of the city has been continuously inhabited since the Palaeolithic era for more than 150,000 years.

The fertile lands of the Niger River Valley provided the people with an abundant food supply and early kingdoms in the area grew wealthy as they established trade routes linking across West Africa , the Sahara , and leading to northern Africa and Europe . The early inhabitants traded gold, ivory , kola nuts , and salt. By the 11th century, the Empire of Ghana (this will be the subject of a post soon) became the first kingdom to dominate the area. Bamako had become a major market town , and a pathway to Timbuktu the center of knowledge via the Niger river. Later, the Mali Empire grew during the early Middle Ages and replaced the Empire of Ghana as the dominant kingdom in West Africa, dominating Senegal , Gambia, Guinea , Mali , and Mauritania . In the 14th century, the Mali Empire became increasingly wealthy because of the trade of cotton and salt. It was eventually succeeded by the Songhai Empire .

The Pink Market (Le Marche Rose) in Bamako ca 1900s By the late 19th century, the French dominated much of western Africa, and in 1883, present-day Mali became part of the colony of French Sudan , and was its capital in 1908. Cotton and rice farming was encouraged through large irrigation projects and a new railroad connected Bamako to Dakar on the Atlantic coast. Mali was annexed then into French West Africa , a federation which lasted from 1895 to 1959. Bamako remained the capital of Mali after independence in 1960. Bamako, on the banks of the Niger River (Wikipedia) Bamako is known as the crossroads of West Africa, since it is located 1000 km from Dakar ( Senegal ) and Abidjan ( Côte d’Ivoire ), 850 km from Ouagadougou ( Burkina Faso ), and 120 km from the border with Guinea . With a population of 1.8 million, Bamako is viewed today as the fastest growing city in Africa and sixth-fastest in the world.

It is a buoyant city full of life. Enjoy a visit to the “river of crocodiles,” the crossroad of West Africa, and don’t forget to bathe in the centuries’ old history of great West African kingdoms in Mali, and its rich traditions. Share this:

Question: On which major river does Bamako, the capital of Mali stand?
Answer: NIGER